Coupling



Patented Nov. 22j, 1927.

r oFFicjE.

WILLIAM J. GGNON, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE BEAD CHAINMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF BBIDGEPOIRT, CONNECTICUT, .A CORPORATION 0FCONNECTICUT.

COUPLING.

Application led .Tune 25,

My invention relates to a coupling, and particularly to a couplingadapted to connect a bead chain to a jump ring or the like. The objectof my invention is to provide an economical and efficient swivelcoupling.

In the accompanying drawings- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a bead chain with-an attached coupling embodying my invention; and v Fig. 2 is a sideelevation thereof, the couplilrg being shown in section.

y invention is particularly directed to couplings for use with chainscomposed of hollow beads or balls 3 interconnected by dumbbell links 4.rl`he coupling is made from sheet metal formed into tubular shape andaffording a pair of chambers 5 and 6 spaced by a tubular neck 7 Theblank is cut away at its opposite side margins to afford, in thefinished product, a lateral aperture 8 which opens into the chamber 5and is of suicient size to admit the end ball of the chain to thechamber; and also a narrow slot 9 leading from the aperture 8 to an endaperture 10 of sufficient size to accommodate the link y connected tothe'end ball a'. The slot 9 is preferably of slightly less width thanthe diameter of the link, so that the link must be forced therethrough.The inherent resilience of the metal of the coupling closes the slot 9to its normal spacing, in which it impedes the escape of the link y fromthe aperture 10.

The chamber 6 is preferably flattened on opposite sides, parallel to theplane of the seam 11 formed by the meeting edges of the blank. Thesesides are apertured at 12 to accommodate a split jump ring or the like.

A coupling of this construction is readily formed from sheet metal andaffords a swivel connection with a chain, but a readily detachableconnection so that the coupling may be disengaged from the chain without1927. Serial No. 201,543.

breaking the engagement between the coupling and an associated jump ringor the I claim as my invention- A coupling device for bead chainscomprlsing a longitudinally seamed tubular member having a lateralopening on the seam to receive the end ball of a chain, and a slotextending in the plane of the seam from sald aperture t0 an axialopening at one end of the chamber to accommodate a chain link connectedto the ball, said tubular member at the opposite end thereof beingapertured ln'reglster on an axis normal to the plane of saidlongitudinal seam to accommodate the ends of a split jump ring or thelike.

A coupling device for bead chains com` prising a longitudinally seamedtubular member having a lateral opening on the seam to receive the endball of a chain, and ya slot extending in the plane of the seam fromsaid aperture to an axial opening at one end of the chamber toaccommodate a chain link connected to the ball, the opposite end of saidtubular member having its sides flattened in planes parallel to theplane of the seam, and said sides being apertui'ed in reg lster.l

3. A coupling device comprising a longitudinally seamed tube offset atboth ends and at a point intermediate said ends to form a pair ofchambers and intervening constricted neck, one of said chambers having alateral aperture inline with the tube seam, and a constricted passagewayleading therefrom to one end of the chamber, said end being axiallyapertured, the other chamber of the coupling having flattened sides onopposite sides of the seam, and said sides being apertured in register,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this s ecification.

LLIAM J. GAGNON.

